By Jorge Casuso

September 3, 2026 -- Drivers in Santa Monica could soon be snapped running red lights by automated cameras the City Council hopes will help curb serious and sometimes deadly accidents.

 

The Council on Tuesday will take up a proposed ordinance that establishes and authorizes the City’s use of Automated Traffic Enforcement Systems (ATES) for red-light violations starting with two intersections, while giving the Council authority to add them at additional locations.

The program uses fixed cameras "to capture images and video of vehicles for the purpose of enforcing red-light violations at signalized intersections," staff wrote in a report to the Council.

"Red-light running is a significant contributing factor in severe right-angle and turning collisions at signalized intersections," staff said. "ATES have been used throughout the United States as a tool to improve compliance with traffic signals and reduce serious crashes."

Unlike traditional red-light enforcement programs -- which cite drivers for moving violations that result in hefty fines and DMV points -- Santa Monica's program would be conducted under the Safer Streets Act of 2025.

Under the law, violations are associated with the vehicle rather than the driver and are civil violations, which carry a lower penalty and don't result in points.

The ordinance authorizes staff to "evaluate, select, add, remove, or relocate enforcement locations based on established safety criteria, collision history, operational considerations, available funding, and the requirements of (the) California Vehicle Code," staff said.

"Any future expansion of the program would remain subject to Council discretion and state law requirements, including findings supporting the need for automated enforcement at each location and preparation of any required reporting and public notification."

The red-light-camera enforcement program is part of the City’s shift in Vision Zero efforts to "prioritize human life" over the total number of vehicles that pass a specific point over a defined time period of time" when making design and engineering decisions regarding the city right-of-way, staff said.

Adopted by the Council 10 years ago, Vision Zero" aimed to end "all fatalities and major injuries among users of City streets in coming decades."

But despite major investments in traffic safety over the past decade -- including the sweeping re-design of city streets and traffic safety improvements -- the number of fatal and severe injury (FSI) crashes soared to a record 62 in 2024.

The number dropped last year to 52 FSI crashes, which is still the second-highest number recorded over the past 15 years ("Fatal, Severe Injury Crashes Fall," March 6, 2026).

Frustrated by the results, the Council in February unanimously voted to call for Transportation Department staff to change course on the City's "Vision Zero" plan and return in six months with quick and inexpensive ways to immediately protect pedestrians and bicyclists ("Council Takes Sharp Turn on Traffic Safety," February 18, 2026).